Are there any sloth like creatures indigenous to N. America?
This discussion topic submitted by Daveine Larkey (daveinel@hotmail.com) at 8:31 pm on 7/24/00. Additions were last made on Thursday, January 2, 2003.
We have recently moved to the NE corner of the Texas panhandle and have been enchanted by the many varieties of birds and animals. Usually if we spot a species that we are unfamiliar with one of the locals will bring us up to snuff in a hearbeat but recently my son and two on the old timers ran across a tree dwelling creature while fence building near a wooded spring. They saw it leaving a large nest made of twigs and mud in the crown of a large cottenwood tree. It was covered with a grey-brown fur, had a head and body like a koala bear without ears and about 18"to 24" long. When disturbed, it moved upward in the tree very, very slowly, arm over arm, both hind leggs pulled up simultiously once it established a firm foreleg grip, eventually to the delicate top-most branches. They stood there watching it for nearly an hour before loosing sight of it due to nightfall. We looked up pictures on the internet and all three pointed to sloth. I have not seen it yet and cannot see how this is possible. I do plan on at least trying to get a snapshot in the near future.
Bottom line what I would like to know is: Are there any prairie dwelling sloth-like creatures? It was not an armidillo,opossum, raccoon or packrat. They are common creatures and easily recognized not to mention can all move quite fast with a little inspiration. I would appreiciate any input you have on this matter and will be happy to send a photograph when and if I get one.
Thank you very much,
Daveine Larkey.
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It is 3:09:35 AM on Sunday, November 8, 2009. Last Update: Thursday, January 2, 2003